[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 68 (Wednesday, April 9, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 17336-17337]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-8598]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Commodity Credit Corporation


Notice of Request for Extension of a Currently Approved 
Information Collection

AGENCY: Commodity Credit Corporation, USDA.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, this 
notice announces the Commodity Credit Corporation's (CCC) intention to 
request an extension for a currently approved information collection in 
support of the Regulations--Financing Commercial Sales of Agricultural 
Commodities under Title I, Public Law 480; Request for Vessel Approval, 
Form CCC-105 and Request for Vessel Approval Form CCC-105 (cotton); and 
Declaration of Sale, Form FAS-359.

DATES: Comments on this notice must be received by June 9, 2003, to be 
assured of consideration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS CONTACT: William Hawkins, Director, 
Program Administration Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Stop 1031, Washington, DC 20250-1031, 
telephone (202) 720-3241.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
    Title: Regulations--Financing Commercial Sales of Agricultural 
Commodities under Title I, Pub. L. 480 (0551-0005); Request for Vessel 
Approval, Form CCC-105 (0551-0008); and Request for Vessel Approval 
Form CCC-105 (cotton) and Declaration of Sale, Form FAS-359 (0551-
0009).
    OMB Numbers: 0551-0005 (Records and Rule Keeping) and 0551-0008 
(Request for Vessel Approval Form) and

[[Page 17337]]

0551-0009 (Declaration of Sale Form). These will be combined into OMB 
Number 0551-0005 if this request is approved.
    Expiration Date of Approval: August 31, 2003.
    Type of Request: Extension and revision of currently approved 
information collections, with change to combine 0551-0005 (Records and 
Rule Keeping); 0551-0008 (Request for Vessel Approval) and 0551-0009 
(Declaration of Sale Form).
    Abstract: Title I of The Agricultural Trade Development and 
Assistance Act of 1954, as amended, (Pub. L. 83-480) authorizes the CCC 
to finance the sale and exportation of agricultural commodities on 
concessional credit terms. Suppliers of commodities and ocean 
transportation must retain records for 3 years. Prospective commodity 
suppliers must provide information for the Department to determine 
eligibility. Commodity suppliers must report details of sales for price 
approval and submit to USDA, for approval, information on any 
amendments to the sales. Shipping agents nominated by importing 
countries must submit information to allow identification of possible 
conflicts of interest. Shipping agents or embassies submit pertinent 
shipping information on Form CCC-105 to facilitate approval by CCC of 
shipping arrangements. This approval is necessary to assure compliance 
with cargo preference requirements at the lowest cost to CCC. Agents 
submit this document in order that USDA can generate the CCC-106, a 
necessary payment document. Ocean carriers then receive payment for 
ocean freight. Commodity suppliers must report details of sales for 
price approval. Form FAS-359, ``Declaration of Sale,'' is the written 
record, signed by the commodity supplier, of the terms of sale as 
reported by telephone. When signed by the General Sales Manager, it 
provides evidence of the USDA price approval required for CCC 
financing.
    The information collected is used by CCC to manage, plan, evaluate 
and account for government resources. The reports and records are 
required to ensure the proper and judicious use of public funds.
    Estimate of Burden: The public reporting burden for these 
collections is estimated to average 8 hours per Record Keeping, 5 hours 
per Vessel Approval and 2 hours per Declaration of Sale response.
    Respondents: Suppliers of commodities and ocean transportation; 
prospective commodity suppliers; shipping agents; and business or 
other-for-profit.
    Estimated Number of Respondents: 45 per annum.
    Estimated Total Annual Burden of Respondents: 565.00 hours.
    Copies of this information collection can be obtained from Kimberly 
Chisley, the Agency Information Collection Coordinator, at (202) 720-
2568.
    Requests for Comments: Send comments regarding (a) whether the 
proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper 
performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the 
information will have practical utility; (b) the accuracy of the 
agency's estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of 
information; (c) ways to enhance the quality, utility and clarity of 
the information to be collected; and (d) ways to minimize the burden of 
the collection of information on those who are to respond, including 
through the use of automated, electronic, mechanical, or other 
technological collection techniques or other forms of information 
technology. Comments may be sent to William Hawkins, Director, Program 
Administration Division, Foreign Agricultural Service, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, Stop 1031, Washington, DC 20250-1031, or to the Desk 
Officer for Agriculture, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, 
Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503. Persons with 
disabilities who require an alternative means for communication of 
information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact 
USDA's Target Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). All responses 
to this notice will be summarized and included in the request for OMB 
approval. All comments will also become a matter of public record.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on March 27, 2003.
A. Ellen Terpstra,
Administrator, Foreign Agricultural Service.
[FR Doc. 03-8598 Filed 4-8-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-10-P